Hong Kong's Labour and Welfare Secretary Chris Sun announced today (Dec. 2) that foreign domestic helpers who died in the Tai Po fire will receive HK$800,000 in total compensation, while injured workers and survivors will also receive financial support.
Speaking at a press conference alongside the Secretary of the Department of Migrant Workers of the Philippines, Hans Leo J. Cacdac, at the government headquarters, Sun expressed gratitude for the Philippine department's strong collaboration in ensuring the rights and welfare of affected workers.
Sun detailed that each domestic helper who tragically lost their life in the fire will receive statutory compensation estimated at over HK$500,000. In addition, the government will provide a one-time condolence payment of HK$200,000 and an additional subsidy of HK$50,000, bringing the total compensation to approximately HK$800,000 per deceased worker.
For injured workers, Sun explained that they will be entitled to a relief fund of either HK$50,000 or HK$100,000, depending on the length of their hospital stay. Furthermore, all foreign domestic helpers who survived the blaze will receive HK$20,000.
To provide immediate assistance, all foreign domestic helpers employed at Wang Fuk Court, regardless of their condition, will receive a prepaid Octopus card valued at HK$2,000.
Sun disclosed that 235 foreign domestic helpers were employed at Wang Fuk Court at the time of the fire. Among them, 10 were confirmed dead, 3 were injured, 192 escaped safely, and 30 remain missing. Of the total workforce, 94 workers were from the Philippines, while 141 were from Indonesia.
Hans Leo J. Cacdac expressed his appreciation for the government's prompt and comprehensive measures to assist the affected workers.
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